Bamboo Garden Brass Bookmark

Materials:

CarvedStamps 36-gauge brass foil
CarvedStamps embossing mat
CarvedStamps bronze mesh
wooden or plastic stylus *
StazOn black solvent ink pad
Peddler's Pack bamboo stamp
steel scissors
thick cardboard/mat board
ribbon
decorative bead
strong double-sided sticky tape
permanent markers
decorative paper
safety glasses

* Avoid a metal stylus as it does not move smoothly across the surface.

1. Cut a 1-1/2" x 5-1/2" piece of thick cardboard.

2. Cut brass foil to 2" x 6".

3. Using black solvent ink, stamp image on brass foil (figure A).

4. Place foil on embossing mat and outline images with a wooden or plastic embossing stylus (figure B).

5. Center cardboard on back of foil and miter corners (if preferred, to avoid foil moving, attach to cardboard with a small piece of double-sided tape before cutting) (figure C).

6. Fold foil along all four sides over to the back of the cardboard (no sticky tape is needed) (figure D).

7. Color image with permanent markers (figure E).

8. Cover back of bookmark with strong double-sided sticky tape (figure F).

9. Cut a piece of bronze mesh approximately 1-1/2"x 3". Note: Always use safety goggles when cutting mesh.

10. Fray approximately 3/4 inch of mesh at the top and 1/4 inch from sides and bottom (to do this, pull out threads) (figure G).

11. Attach top section of mesh to bottom of bookmark (figure H).

12. Cut ribbon to desired length, fold in half, and attach ends to top of bookmark (figure I).

13. Cut a 1-1/2" x 5-1/2" piece of decorative paper and attach to back of bookmark (figure J).

14. Decorate mesh with threads, buttons, charms etc. Thread bead onto ribbon.

Tips:
Carpet tape is an effective and inexpensive adhesive for this project.

Remember to fray mesh before attaching it to the bookmark, otherwise it is too thick and will not stick.

There are many ways to decorate mesh, including creating different designs/patterns by removing threads to fray. Simple decorative punches can also be used. Mesh can be bent to create movement.

Attach beads and buttons with thin pieces of wire, or use the threads removed from the mesh after fraying.